Green space in Little Tokyo

Have you seen water falls in Little Tokyo? I am not day dreaming.
It was a pleasant surprise for me to see water falls and picturesque lawns with a bridge and stream nearby here, at a short walking distance, on the roof of the New Otani Hotel. It is one of the rare green and 'organic' spaces in a busy and dynamic city like LA. Don't think that there are no big trees on the roof of a high-rise building! You will be surprised with lots of shades in the garden. Good place for a short escape in hot summer days ...

Obon festival this weekend at Higashi Honganji Temple

Somebody told me Little Tokyo was a place for festivals. I can't agree more. July - mi August is even more special as this is the month of Obon, an annual Buddhist event to commemorate one's ancestors in Japan. I heard that Obon was one of the most important traditions for Japanese people. When I was in Hawaii, which has the largest population of Japanese American and Japanese visitors in the country, I remembered the summer was even called "Bon season". In Little Tokyo, different temples celebrate this festival at different dates. And this weekend is at Higashi Honganji Temple.

So if you are traveling to Little Tokyo this week, don't miss the chance to live in 'Obon season' by joining the cultural celebration and food bazaar at Higashi Honganji Temple on Saturday and Sunday July 28th - 29th. There are games, oishii food, farmer's market, and especially bon ordori or bon dance. Oop! there are free practice sessions for bon dancing before the actual event - see http://www.hhbt-la.org/Obon.html for more details. See you there!